Electromechanical cake decorating apparatus

ABSTRACT

An electromechanical cake decorating apparatus comprising a turntable and base for supporting a cake, a weight sensing circuit for determining the weight of the cake supported by the turntable and for outputting an analog voltage signal proportional to the weight of the cake, signal processor for receiving the analog voltage signal and for converting the analog voltage signal into display information which can be displayed on a digital display, and a digital display for receiving the display information and for displaying a digital number which corresponds to the weight of the cake supported on the turntable.

This is a continuation in part of Ser. No. 346,617, filed Nov. 30, 1994,now U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,507.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for preparingand decorating cakes and, more particularly, to an electromechanicalapparatus comprising a turntable and base for supporting the cake whilethe cake is being prepared, iced and decorated, weight circuitry formeasuring the weight of the cake, digital processing circuitry forreceiving weight information from the weight circuitry and forconverting the information into weight information suitable for display,and display means for receiving information from the digital processingcircuitry and for displaying a digital number which corresponds to theweight of the cake on the turn table.

Typically, grocery stores and bakeries sell certain types of cakeswhich, once prepared and decorated, should have a weight which isapproximately equal to the weight specified for the particular type ofcake. Whether or not a particular type of cake, once prepared anddecorated, has the correct weight, depends on how accurately the personpreparing the cake applies the icing and decorations. Currently, manygrocery stores purchase cakes which are unprepared and undecorated whenthey arrive at the grocery store bakery/deli. The employee then preparesand decorates the cakes in accordance with specifications or directionssupplied by the corporate office for each type of cake. One of thespecifications is the type and amount of icing and other decorations tobe provided on a particular type of cake. At present, employeesgenerally have to approximate the amount of icing and decorationsapplied to the cakes. This is an extremely costly and inefficient methodfor gauging the amount of icing and decorations to be applied to cakes.

It is critical to accurately measure the amount of icing that is appliedto a cake due to the fact that icing may represent, in many cases, asmuch as 40-50% of the product's total cost. The impact on commercial andretail profitability can be significant.

2. Prior Art

Haapala, U.S. Pat. No. 4,074,656, discloses a turntable for supporting acake while it is being decorated wherein the axis of the turntable canbe tipped so as to facilitate the application of decoration to the sideof a cake. Haapala is primarily directed to providing a turntable whichfacilitates the cake decorator in decorating the sides of the cake.Haapala is not concerned with, nor are means provided for, ascertainingthe amount of icing and decorations being applied to a cake.

C. R. Lindquist, U.S. Pat. No. 3,420.210, discloses a large turntablefor supporting a cake while the cake is being decorated and smallerturntables for supporting icing to be formed into roses. The turntablesare automatically driven at a slow speed by an electric motor. Inoperation, icing to be applied to a cake is placed by an employee orother person on the upper surface of the cake which is located on thelarger turntable. A comb device having sawtooth edges positioned in thehorizontal and vertical directions engages the icing on the side and topsurfaces of the cake and spreads the icing as the cake rotates. Once theicing has been applied to the cake, a suitable utensil is used to smooththe icing on the top and the sides of the cake to remove the ridgesformed by the sawtooth edges of the comb. Roses are formed on thesmaller turntables by a skilled person as the smaller turntables rotate.As the icing roses harden, they are removed from the smaller turntablesand placed on top of the cake. The apparatus does not comprise means formeasuring or displaying the weight of the cake or the icing. Icing ismerely deposited on the cake by the cake decorator and the comb havingthe sawtooth edges spreads the icing as the cake rotates. Similarly,icing to be formed into roses is placed on the smaller turntables by thecake decorator.

Both Haapala and C. R. Lindquist are directed at facilitating the cakedecorating process. Neither of these patents disclose means fordetermining the weight of the cake or the weight of the icing appliedthereto.

A cost analysis has been performed to determine how much money is lostper year due to too much icing and decorations being provided on cakesin retail in-store bakeries. It was determined that substantial losseswere being incurred by each store. Therefore, a need exists in theindustry for an apparatus which facilitates the application of icing anddecorations to a cake while displaying the gross weight of the cake,thereby allowing the cake decorator to view the weight of the cake whileit is being prepared so that the application of excess icing anddecorations can be avoided. Similarly, the present invention also allowsthe cake decorator to avoid the application of a deficient amount oficing or decorations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, an electromechanical cakedecorating apparatus is provided which comprises a turntable and a basefor supporting a cake, a weight sensing circuit for determining theweight of the cake supported by the turntable and for outputting ananalog voltage signal proportional to the weight of the cake, signalprocessing means for receiving the analog voltage signal and forconverting the analog voltage signal into display information which canbe displayed on a digital display, and a digital display for receivingthe display information and for displaying a digital number whichcorresponds to the weight of the cake supported on the turntable.

If desired, a microprocessor or microcontroller can be interfaced withthe processing circuitry to allow the weight information to be accessedand further processed for various purposes. A keypad, memory device, anddisplay may be connected to the microprocessor to allow supervisory ormanagement personnel to access and view the information provided to themicroprocessor. For example, before decorating a cake, the cakedecorator may enter his or her personal ID number and a number whichcorresponds to the type of cake to be decorated. Once the cake isdecorated, the employee depresses another key on the keypad and theactual weight of the cake and the time are outputted to themicroprocessor. A manager or supervisor would be able to access theemployee personal identification number, the time a cake was decorated,and the final weight of the cake after it has been decorated by enteringan appropriate request on the keypad. Such information may be useful ingauging employee performance and in determining how much excess icinghas been used over a given period of time. Any software needed can bedesigned in accordance with the types of tasks to be accomplished.Furthermore, the microprocessor can be interfaced with the centralinventory computer of the grocery store in order to allow the weightinformation to be accessed by the central computer.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anelectromechanical cake decorating apparatus which allows the weight ofthe cake to be displayed while the cake is being decorated so that thecake decorator can ascertain when the correct amount of icing ordecorations have been applied to the cake.

It is another object of the present invention to provide anelectromechanical cake decorating apparatus which reduces costsassociated with the preparation and decoration of cakes.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anelectromechanical cake decorating apparatus which is capable ofenhancing the efficiency of cake decorators.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anelectromechanical cake decorating apparatus which provides means forprocessing, storing and accessing information relating to the amount oficing applied to cakes.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anelectromechanical cake decorating apparatus which an be interfaced witha central inventory computer system.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following discussion and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the turntable and base of theelectromechanical cake decorating apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the turntable and base of theelectromechanical cake decorating apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a functional block diagram of the circuit componentsof the electromechanical cake decorating apparatus of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of the weight sensing circuit ofthe electromechanical cake decorating apparatus in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a first embodiment of the circuit components of theelectromechanical cake decorating apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment of the circuit components of theelectromechanical cake decorating apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a third embodiment of the circuit components of theelectromechanical cake decorating apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8a illustrates a functional block diagram of an alternativeembodiment of the circuit components of the electromechanical cakedecorating apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8b illustrates a functional block diagram of an alternativeembodiment of the circuit components of the electromechanical cakedecorating apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8c illustrates a functional block diagram of an alternativeembodiment of the circuit components of the electromechanical cakedecorating apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the turntable and base ofthe electromechanical cake decorating apparatus of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the turntable and base of theelectromechanical cake decorating apparatus of the present invention inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic diagram of the electrical circuitry ofthe electromechanical cake decorating apparatus of the present inventionin accordance with the preferred embodiment of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic diagram of the circuitry used togenerate a constant current for the strain gauges in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the turntable and base of the electromechanical cakedecorating apparatus of the present invention in accordance with a firstembodiment. The turntable is comprised of a platen 1, a flange 3, and ashaft 4. The base 6 of the turntable preferably contains the weightsensing circuit, the signal processing circuit and the display. However,in FIG. 1, only the transducer 14 is shown for ease of illustration. Thetransducer used preferably is an LCP8-10 rectilinear potentiometermanufactured by ETI Systems of Oceanside, Calif. However, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that many other types oftransducers are also suitable for use with the present invention. Forexample, laminated strain gauges can also be used, as discussed belowwith respect to FIGS. 9-12. Other types of rectilinear potentiometerswhich are suitable for use with present inventions are: CarterManufacturing Model Number 632; Duncan Electronics, Inc. Model Number601 and 9605; Maurey Instrument Corp. Model Number P1991-1; Midori MacModel Numbers LP-U1,LP-3U and LP-20FP.

The shaft 4 of the turntable is coupled with a cantilevered beam 8 by athrust bearing 10. The cantilevered beam 8 is attached to the base 6 bya support means 11. The rectilinear potentiometer is fixedly positionedwithin the base on a support means 13. The rectilinear potentiometer 14is in contact with one end of the cantilevered beam 8. When a force isapplied to the platen 1 of the turntable, the cantilevered beam 8 causesthe vertical arm 15 of rectilinear potentiometer 14 to be depressed orretracted, thereby producing an analog voltage signal proportional tothe force at the output of the rectilinear potentiometer 14.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment for the turntable and base of thepresent invention. The platen 1, flange 3 and shaft 4 of the turntableare identical to that shown in FIG. 1. However, in this embodiment, therectilinear potentiometer 14 is located directly beneath the shaft 4 ofthe turntable. A recess 16 formed in the base 6 is preferably coatedwith Teflon® to allow smooth rotating action of the shaft 4 within therecess 16. The recess 16 is preloaded with a spring 18. The vertical arm15 of the rectilinear potentiometer 14 passes through an opening formedin the bottom of recess 16, through the middle of spring 18 and is incontact with shaft 4. The rectilinear potentiometer 14 is supportedwithin the base by support means (which is not shown in FIG. 2 for easeof illustration). Support means 13 shown in FIG. 1 is suitable forsupporting the potentiometer 14 of FIG. 2. The weight sensing circuitcomprises rectilinear potentiometer 14, zero adjustment potentiometer19, and sensitivity potentiometer 20. The weight sensing circuit isidentical to that shown in FIG. 4, below, and is configured to form abalanced bridge. The output from the potentiometer 14 is coupled to thesignal processing circuit 21 which can take on any of the formsdescribed below with respect to FIGS. 3, 5, 6 or 7.

When a force is applied to platen 1, shaft 4 compresses spring 18 andcontacts the vertical arm 15 of potentiometer 14 causing it to retract,thereby producing an analog voltage signal proportional to the forceapplied to platen 1. The arrangement of the potentiometers 14, 19 and 20in a balanced bridge permits adjustments to be made to thepotentiometers so that the digital weight displayed corresponds to theforce exerted on platen 1, as discussed below. The signal processingcircuit 21 outputs 7-segment format information to display 22 whichdigitally displays the weight of the cake supported on the platen 1 ofthe turntable. The base can also contain the microprocessor 70, memorydevice 71, display means 73, and keypad 72 shown in FIGS. 8a-8c, if sodesired.

The turntable top comprised of the platen 1, flange 3 and shaft 4preferably is a conventional top currently provided by Bakery Craft,Inc. The top provided by Bakery Craft, Inc. is comprised of a 12" roundsupport surface attached to an 11/16" diameter shaft. The entireturntable top is a die cast machined aluminum piece. The base willpreferably has an on/off switch attached to the outside of it to allow acake decorator to switch the power provided to the apparatus on or off.The base also has a port formed therein for providing power to theapparatus from an external AC power source. If a DC power source isused, the DC power source can be contained to be base. In this case, aport is formed in the base to allow the DC power source to be rechargedby an external recharger. The base also has a window or an openingformed therein to allow the digital display to be viewed by the cakedecorator. If the microprocessor 70 and memory device 71 of FIG. 8a-8care contained in the base, the keypad 72 and display means 73 can behoused in the side of the base to allow personnel to enter informationon the keypad 72 and view information displayed on display 73 inresponse to requests entered on the keypad 72.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it may not benecessary to have two separate displays, i.e., one for displaying theweight of the cake and one for displaying information in response to arequest entered on the keypad. It is possible if desired, to have onedisplay which displays the weight information and any informationdisplayed in response to a request entered on the keypad. It is alsopossible to remove all of the signal processing circuitry and thedisplay from the base such that the base only contains the mechanicalcomponents of the apparatus of the present invention and the weightsensing circuitry. In this case, the weight sensing circuit can beconnected to a computer located outside of the base which performs allof the signal processing and display functions. A monitor may beconnected to the computer so that the weight of a cake being decoratedand any other information can be displayed on the monitor. However, itmay be desirable to have a separate display for displaying the weight ofthe cake.

FIG. 3 illustrates a functional block diagram of the circuit componentsof the electromechanical cake decorating apparatus of the presentinvention in accordance with a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, theapparatus comprises a weight sensing circuit 25, which includes atransducer, for receiving a force equal to the weight of a cake placedon the turntable and for translating the weight into an analog voltagesignal which is provided to an analog-to-digital converter 30. Theanalog-to-digital converter 30 converts the analog voltage signal into adigital voltage signal consisting of a plurality of binary statesrepresentative of the digital voltage signal. The binary numbergenerated by the analog-to-digital converter 30 is provided to abinary-to-BCD encoder 31 which encodes the signal in binary codeddecimal and which provides the binary coded decimal number to aBCD-to-7-segment decoder/driver 32. The BCD-to-7-segment decoder/driver32 converts the BCD signal into 7-segment format information andprovides the information to a digital display 22. The block comprisesthe signal processing circuitry of the present invention. The signalprocessing circuitry 21 can be implemented in a number of ways asdiscussed in more detail below. The turntable is coupled to the weightsensing circuit 25 for supporting a cake to be decorated and fortransmitting the weight of the cake through the turntable shaft to theweight sensing circuit 25.

FIG.4 illustrates a schematic diagram of the one embodiment of theweight sensing circuit 25 of the present invention. The weight sensingcircuit 25 comprises three potentiometers arranged in a balanced bridge.The bridge comprises a rectilinear potentiometer 14 which ismechanically coupled to the turntable (not shown in FIG. 4) forconverting the force applied to the turntable into an analog voltagesignal. The circuit also includes a zero adjustment potentiometer 19 anda sensitivity adjustment potentiometer 20. The output from the bridgecircuit is the differential voltage provided between lines 33 and 34which will be connected to the signal processing circuitry.

The bridge circuit operates with a 1.25 DC reference voltage. In orderto calibrate the weight sensing circuit 25, the bridge circuit must beadjusted after the turntable has been installed so that the differentialvoltage between lines 33 and 34 is zero volts (i.e., the weight of theturntable is ignored). The zero adjustment potentiometer 19 is used forthis purpose. The zero adjustment potentiometer 19 is adjusted after theturntable has been installed so that the differential voltage outputfrom the circuit is 0. The sensitivity adjustment potentiometer 20 isadjusted after calibration and after the bridge circuit 25, the signalprocessing circuitry 21 and the display 22 have been connected. Thesensitivity adjustment potentiometer 20 is adjusted so that the correctrelationship is obtained between the force applied to the turntable andthe corresponding number displayed on the digital display.

FIG.5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention whereinthe signal processing circuitry 21 of the functional block diagram shownin FIG. 3 is accomplished by using a Harris Semiconductor ICL7106 3 1/2digit LCD display A/D converter. Integrated circuit 38 comprises a 3 1/2digit analog-to-digital converter, a 7-segment decoder, a displaydriver, a reference, and a clock. The integrated circuit 38 is designedto interface with a liquid crystal display 39 and includes a multiplexedback plane drive. Any type of LCD/seven segment display available on themarket is suitable for use with the integrated circuit 38. Theintegrated circuit 38 includes an auto-zero feature which causes theintegrated circuit 38 to zero the display 39 when power is provided tothe integrated circuit 38. Power is preferably provided by an AC powersource 40. A step-down transformer 41 steps the AC voltage down and arectifier 43 rectifies the AC voltage signal to produce a DC voltagesignal. A ripple filter 44 takes any ripple out of the rectified waveform and a voltage regulator 45 regulates the voltage so that a 5 voltDC voltage is provided to the integrated circuit 38. Components 41, 43,4 and 45 are preferably incorporated in an ACOPIAN AC/CD Power Module,Model NO. 5E100. The output lines 33 and 34 from the weight sensingcircuit 25 are provided to the IN LO and IN HI pins, respectively, ofthe integrated circuit 38. The recommended resistive and capacitivevalues are supplied by the manufacturer and are those values indicatednext to the drawing. A Zenor diode 35 clamps the regulated voltage toapproximately 1.25 volts which functions as the 1.25 DC referencevoltage across the weight sensing circuit 25. The Zenor diode ispreferably an ICL8069 manufactured by Harris Semiconductor. The IN LO,REF LO and analog common pins (pins 31, 35 and 32, respectively) aregrounded at a common point in order to remove the common mode voltagefrom the reference system of the integrated circuit 38, which isdesirable when an external reference voltage is being used, as is thecase in the present embodiment.

The integrated circuit 38 has three phases of operation, namely, theauto-zero phase, the signal integrate phase and the de-integrate phase.During the auto-zero phase, the IN HI and IN LO pins are internallyshorted together with the analog common, which eliminates thedifferential input voltage and results in all zeros being displayed onthe LCD 39. During the signal integrate phase, the internal shortbetween IN HI and IN LO is removed the differential voltage between INHI and IN LO is integrated by charging a reference capacitor connectedbetween pins 33 and 34. During this phase, the polarity of the inputsignal is determined. During the de-integrate phase, the IN HI isinternally connected across the reference capacitor and circuitry withinthe integrated circuit 38 allows the reference capacitor to discharge tozero. The integrated circuit 38 measures the amount of time for thereference capacitor to discharge to zero. The time required isproportional to the analog input signal which allows the integratedcircuit to calculate the corresponding digital voltage signal. Theintegrated circuit 38 then causes a digital reading to be displayed onLCD 39 which corresponds to the analog voltage signal output from theweight sensing circuit 25.

Although the electromechanical cake decorating apparatus of the presentinvention preferably operates on an AC power supply, a DC power sourcecan be used instead. If a DC power source is used, preferably eight 1.25volt rechargeable nickel cadmium batteries will be used in series toachieve a 9 volt DC power source. The preferred LCD 39 to be used withthe integrated circuit 38 is a VI5032-DP liquid crystal display. OtherLCDs which are suitable for use with the ICL7106 are VI-318, VI-302,VI-303, VI-322, VI-315, VI-323, VI-319, VI-320, VI-401, VI-402 andVI-422. All of the above mentioned LCDs are 3 1/2 digit displays withthe exception of the VI-401, VI-402 and VI-422, which are four digitdisplays.

FIG. 6 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the present inventionwherein a Harris Semiconductor ICL7107 3 1/2 digit LED display A/Dconverter 47 is used to drive an LED display 48. The ICL7107 operatesessentially the same way as the ICL7106 of FIG. 5 with the exceptionthat it is designed to drive an LED display 48 rather than a liquidcrystal display. The resistive and capacitive values recommended by themanufacturer are the same as those for the ICL7106 and the weightsensing circuit 25 and the pins of the ICL7107 are connected in the samemanner as with the ICL7106 of FIG. 5. Any type of LED/seven segmentdisplay available on the market is suitable for use with the integratedcircuit 47 shown in FIG. 6. It is preferable in this embodiment to usethe ICL7107 in combination with an LED display because LED displays aregenerally much less expensive than LCDs and the contrast provided by anLED display is suitable for the purposes of the present invention. Aswith the ICL7106 shown in FIG. 5, a DC power source can also be usedwith the ICL7107 of FIG. 6. The DC power source discussed above withrespect to FIG. 5 is suitable for use with the circuit shown in FIG. 6.If a DC power source is used, voltage regulator 45, ripple filter 44,rectifier 43, step down transformer 41 and AC power supply will ofcourse be necessary.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the electromechanicalcake decorating apparatus of the present invention wherein aconventional circuit for sensing a weight and for digitally displayingthe weight is used in combination with the turntable and weight sensingcircuit of the present invention. The circuit shown in FIG. 7 can befound in the Encyclopedia of Electronics Circuits, Vol. 1, page 398, byRudolph F. Graf. The weight sensing circuit 25 is connected to theturntable (not shown) of the present invention. The weight sensingcircuit 25 translates the weight of a cake supported on the turntableinto an analog voltage signal which is provided to an ADD 3781 NationalSemiconductor analog-to-digital converter 55. The analog voltage signalis converted into a digital signal which is further converted into7-segment format information which is provided to a digital display 60by bit lines 61. The analog-to-digital converter 55 provides informationto display driver 59 by bit lines 62. The display driver 59 drives thedigital display 60 and enables one of the four digits in accordance withthe information provided to the driver by bit lines 62 so that the7-segment display format information provided on bit lines 61 isprovided to the correct digit of the display 60. A 9 volt DC powersource 50 provides power to the circuit. An LM 3403 NationalSemiconductor voltage regulator 53 clamps the voltage to a preselecteddigital voltage level which is compatible with the integrated circuits.A resistor pack 54 allows the proper current to be supplied to theselected LED segments of the digital display 60 and provides theappropriate reference voltage for the A/D converter 55. An MM74C02Motorola NOR Gate has an output pin coupled to the base of transistor 63to control the voltage supply to the display driver 15.

When the power supply 50 is switched on, the voltage level provided bythe voltage regulator 53 is provided to the collectors of transistors 63and 65, and to the supply voltage and start conversion pins (pins 1 and9) of A/D converter 55. When this occurs, an output from the NOR gate 57forward biases transistor 63 thereby allowing the supply voltage to beprovided to display driver 55. When the analog-to-digital conversion iscomplete, the A/D converter 55 causes the NOR gate 57 remove the basecurrent from transistor 63 thereby removing the supply voltage fromdisplay driver 59. The decimal point of display 60 connected to theemitter of transistor 65 will be enabled when a high output is generatedon bit line D3 of bit lines 62 provided to drive 59, which correspondsto when the third digit of the display will be enabled.

FIGS. 8a-8c illustrate embodiments of the electromechanical cakedecorating apparatus of the present invention wherein the apparatusfurther comprises a microprocessor 70, a memory device 71, a display 73and a data entry device 72, such as a keypad or a stylus pen anddigitizer. Prior to decorating a cake, an employee will enter his or herpersonal identification number on the keypad 72. the employee theninputs a number on the keypad 72 which corresponds to the type cake tobe decorated. Once the cake has been decorated, the employee depresses akey on the keypad 72 which causes the microprocessor 70 to input thebinary number provided at the output of the A/D converter 30. Themicroprocessor 70 causes the employee's personal identification number,the type of cake and the final weight of the cake to be entered intomemory 71. An authorized person may later access this information byentering his or her code and a request on the keypad 72. Themicroprocessor 70 then accesses the requested information from memory 71and displays the information on display means 73 for the authorizedperson to view. A printer 80 may be connected to microprocessor 70 forallowing information to be printed, such as when a print request isentered on keypad 72.

The signal processing circuit 21 shown in FIG. 8a can be designed usingany components which will accomplish these tasks and which are availableon the market today. FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate only a few embodimentsof the signal processing circuit. It will be apparent to those skilledin the art that there are a multitude of components and designs whichwill accomplish these tasks. It will also be apparent to those skilledin the art that software can be written for controlling themicroprocessor 70 to process the information received by themicroprocessor 70 in any desired manner. For example, types of requestswhich may be entered on keypad 72 and processed by the microprocessor 70and the information which may be displayed on display means 73 islimited only by the type of equipment and circuit design used and theimagination of the software designer.

FIG. 8b illustrates another embodiment wherein the signal processingcircuitry 21 is an ICL7106 or an ICL7107. In this embodiment, an A/Dconverter 85 receives the same information from the weight sensingcircuit 25 which is sent to the signal processing circuitry 81. The A/Dconverter 85 converts the analog voltage signal into a digital numbercomprised of a plurality of bits. The digital information can beprovided serially or in parallel to the microprocessor 70 where it canbe processed and/or stored in memory 71, as discussed above with respectto FIG. 8a.

In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 8c, the microprocessor70 receives the 7-segment display format information being transmittedfrom signal processing circuitry 81 to display 86. In accordance withthis embodiment, the microprocessor 70 is programmed to convert the7-segment format information into a digital number which corresponds tothe weight detected by the weight sensing circuit 25. The microprocessor70 can process and access information in accordance with instructionsentered on keypad 72 in the same manner discussed above with respect toFIGS. 8a and 8b. The embodiment shown in FIG. 8c is essentially the sameas the embodiment shown in FIG. 8b with the exception that theembodiment of FIG. 8c does not require the analog-to-digital converter85 because the microprocessor 70 of FIG. 8c is programmed to process the7-segment format information to obtain a digital number corresponding tothe weight detected by the weight sensing circuit 25.

Most grocery stores have a central inventory computer (not shown) whichstores information, such as price and quantity, relating to productspurchased and sold by the grocery store. In accordance with theembodiments discussed above with respect to FIGS. 8a-8c, the centralinventory computer can be interfaced with the microprocessor 70 so thatinformation relating to the number of each particular type of cake inthe bakery/deli can be accessed by the central inventory computer. Inthis case, it may be necessary to have a translator interposed betweenthe microprocessor 70 and the central inventory computer to allow theinformation accessed by the central inventory computer throughmicroprocessor 70 to be translated into information which is usable bythe central inventory computer.

FIG. 9 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the turntable and base ofthe electromechanical cake decorating apparatus of the presentinvention. In accordance with this embodiment, eight strain gauges 80are laminated onto the surfaces of beams 81, which beams are fixedlyconnected on one end to the feet 83 which support the base 6 byconnectors 84 and which are fixedly secured on the other end to the base6 by connectors 86. Preferably the beams are made of brass. Theconnectors may be nuts and bolts or any other mechanical connectorssuitable for this purpose. When a cake is placed on platen 1, the flange3 of the turntable comes into contact with the top surface of base 6thereby causing a force to be transferred to the bottom of base 6. Asthe cake is decorated, the decorator also applies force to the cake andthat force as well as the weight of the cake and the icing being appliedare translated through the base 6 to beams 81 and strain gauges 80. Thefeet 83 are coupled to the base 6 in such a manner that the base 6 isallowed to move vertically in relation to the feet 83. As the base 6moves in the vertical directions, the ends of the beams 81 securedlyconnected to the base 6 by connectors 86 will move in relation to theends of the beams 81 connected by connectors 84 to the feet 83, therebycreating strain in the beams 81 which results in increased or decreasedresistance of the strain gauges 80. The strain gauges 80 areelectrically connected in series and a constant current is applied tothe series arrangement so that the voltage output of the strain gaugecircuit will vary as the resistance values of the strain gauges 80 vary.This voltage output is then processed and supplied to a digital display,as described in more detail below with respect to FIGS. 11 and 12.

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the base 6 of the cake decoratingapparatus shown in FIG. 9. Four beams 81 are fixedly connected byconnectors 84 to the feet 83 (not shown). The beams 81 are fixedlysecured on the ends opposite the feet 83 to the base 6 by connectors 86.Each of the beams 81 has a pair of strain gauges 80 laminated onto thetop and bottom surfaces thereof for sensing the strain in the beams 81caused by forces being exerted on the turntable which are translatedthrough the base 6 to the strain gauges 80, as discussed above. For eachbeam, one strain gauge is in compression and one is in tension toprovide four balanced legs. The strain gauges are preferablyKFG-5-120-C1-11L1MG2R:G1 strain gauges manufactured by OmegaEngineering, Inc. By utilizing this arrangement, forces exerted on theturntable at any point on the platen 1 are translated through the base 6to the strain gauges 80 so that cakes which are placed directly in thecenter of platen 1, as well as those which are not, can be accuratelyand precisely weighed.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic block diagram of the weight sensingcircuitry 90, the signal processing circuitry 92, 93 and 94, and thedisplay means 96 for sensing and displaying the weight of a cake beingdecorated on the turntable of the cake decorating apparatus shown inFIG. 9. The weight sensing circuit 90 is comprised of eight straingauges which are represented as variable resistors R1-R8. The output ofthe weight sensing circuit 90 is applied to a pre-amp filter 92 whichfilters out unwanted signals and amplifies the signal by a gain of 80.The pre-amp filter 92 is preferably a LM394 super matched BJT pairintegrated circuit. The outputs of the pre-amp filter 92 are connectedto an amplifier 93 which amplifies the signal by a gain of 20 andprovides the amplified signal to a digital display 96. The amplifier 93is preferably an LMC662AIN dual CMOS operational amplifier integratedcircuit which contains two operational amplifiers. One of theoperational amplifiers contained in the IC is used to provide a 1.25volt DC constant current source to weight sensing circuit 90.

FIG. 12 illustrates one of the operational amplifiers contained in theLMC662AIN. A 1.25 volt DC signal from a voltage regulator 98 is appliedto the non-inverting terminal of op-amp 100 which is a voltage followerhaving unity gain. The output of op-amp 100 is applied to the gate ofMOSFET 94 shown in FIG. 11. The drain of MOSFET 94 is connected to theweight sensing circuit 90 and the source is connected to ground. MOSFET94 is preferably a BS170. The display 96 is preferably a Digitec model2010 digital panel meter. The model 2010 digital panel meter comprisesthe ICL7107 discussed above with respect to FIG. 6 so that all of theprocessing of the output signals from amplifier 93 is accomplishedwithin the digital panel meter.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any pre-amp filter92 and any amplifier 93 can be used to filter and amplify the signalfrom the weight sensing circuit 90 before providing it to the display96. Furthermore, the weight sensing circuit 90 can also be used, withsome modifications, in the circuits shown in FIGS. 3 and 5-8c. Also, itwill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the designof the beams and strain gauges shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 can be changed ormodified without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. For example, more beams 81 or strain gauges 80 can be used orthe beams and strain gauges can be reconfigured to achieve a differentdesign.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited to an apparatus for measuring and displayingthe weight of a cake being prepared and decorated. The apparatus of thepresent invention can also be used for supporting and weighing othertypes of food products while they are being prepared and for displayingthe weight of the food products during preparation. For example, theapparatus of the present invention can be used for preparing a pizza sothat the weight of the ingredients or toppings being placed on the pizzacan be ascertained and displayed while the pizza is being prepared. Theapparatus of the present invention is suitable for preparing any type offood product for which it is desirable to display the weight of the foodproduct while it is being prepared. Therefore, although the presentinvention has been described in detail with respect to preparing cakes,the apparatus of the present invention is not limited to preparingcakes. In fact, the type of food product used with the apparatus of thepresent invention is irrelevant and the present invention has only beendescribed with reference to cake because there is a particular need inthe industry for an apparatus which can be used for preparing cakes andwhich displays the weight of the cake while it is being prepared so thatthe cake is not over prepared, e.g., over decorated.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the scope of thepresent invention is not limited to the alternative and preferredembodiments discussed above. There may be many additional ways toaccomplish the objectives of the present invention which are within thescope and spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for supporting a food product being prepared and for measuring and displaying the weight of the food product being prepared, said apparatus comprising:a turntable comprising a platen and a shaft, said platen for supporting the food product to be prepared, said shaft having a first end and a second end, said first end of said shaft being connected to said platen; a base having an opening formed therein for receiving said shaft and for substantially preventing lateral movement of said turntable with respect to said base; a weight sensor contained within said base, at least a portion of said weight sensor being in contact with said base for sensing the weight of a food product supported on said platen and for producing a voltage signal proportional to the weight of the food product supported on said platen wherein said weight sensor comprises a plurality of beams, each of said beams having a first end and a second end, wherein at least one transducer is attached to each of said beams at a location between the first and second ends of said beams for sensing strain in said beams and wherein each of said beams is attached to said base at a point at or near the second end of each beam and wherein of each beam is attached at or near the first end of each beam to a means for supporting said base to allow vertical movement of said base with respect to the first ends of said beams; signal processing means connected to said weight sensor for receiving the voltage signal produced by said weight sensor and for processing the signal into display information for display; display means connected to said signal processing means for receiving the display information from said signal processing means and for displaying a digital number which corresponds to the weight of the food product supported on said platen.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said beams has a top and a bottom surface and a strain gauge laminated to the top and bottom surfaces of each of said beams.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said base has a top and a bottom surface and four vertical walls connecting the top surface to the bottom surface and wherein each of said beams is securedly fastened to the bottom surface of said base at a location on said beam near the second end thereof and wherein each of said beams is disposed adjacent one of said vertical walls of said base and runs parallel thereto.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal processing means comprises a pre-amp filter connected to said weight sensor for receiving the voltage signal and for filtering out the unwanted signals and amplifying the voltage signal, and an amplifier connected to said pre-amp filter for receiving the amplified voltage signal from the pre-amp filter and for further amplifying the voltage signal prior to providing the voltage signal to the display means. 